Postdoctoral Fellow: Black Hole Initiative

About the Role

The Black Hole Initiative (BHI) at Harvard University, affiliated with the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO), invites applications for Postdoctoral Research Fellows. The BHI is the first interdisciplinary research center worldwide focused on the study of black holes. It is located within Harvard University at 20 Garden Street in Cambridge, MA, and will soon move to Zimmer Hall (formerly the Harvard Science Center) on Oxford Street in Cambridge.

Senior Members

• Peter Galison (History & Philosophy of Science) – BHI Director
• Ramesh Narayan (Astronomy)
• Andy Strominger (Physics)
• Abraham Loeb (Astronomy)
• Priyamvada Natarajan (Astronomy) – Yale Faculty
• Netta Engelhardt (Physics) – MIT Faculty
• Sheperd Doeleman (Founding Director of the Event Horizon Telescope Project) – SAO Astronomer
• Michael Johnson (Astrophysicist, Harvard-Smithsonian CfA) – SAO Astronomer

Research Areas

Successful candidates will have the opportunity to interact and work with researchers across multiple fields, including but not limited to:

• Fundamental physics of black holes and the information paradox
• Mathematical stability of spacetime and gravitational memory
• GR Magnetohydrodynamic simulations of accretion flows
• Tidal disruption events
• Gravitational waves and black hole mergers
• Philosophical and historical context of black holes
• Horizon-resolving observations and analysis using the EHT

Position Details

• Grant-funded positions for three years, contingent on performance and funding
• Ideal starting date: September 1, 2027
• Access to computing facilities

Application Information

• Applications should be submitted electronically by 5:00pm EST, Monday, November 16, 2026
• Applications will be considered on an ongoing basis until positions are filled
• Direct questions on the application process to Nicole Grenier: nicole.grenier@cfa.harvard.edu

Resources

• Research expenses including publication charges
• Related conference travel
• Computing resources